End Of Month FAV Posts ~ Shareable And/Or Actionable:

A SIMPLE, ON POINT, NO BS PETITION CALLING OUT BOGUS CHARGES TO IMPEACH POTUS: CLICK THE LINK, SIGN ON ~

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ONE SIMPLE RESPONSE TO JOHN BOEHNER'S THREAT TO SUE POTUS FOR DOING THE JOB HE WAS ELECTED TO DO X'S 2: SHARE IT FAR AND WIDE ~

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SHARE "ROBERT REICH, PROFESSOR, EXTRAORDINAIRE AS HE UNPACKS THE KOCH BROS' INFLUENCE NETWORK..."

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MUST SEE! ONE OF THE BEST POTUS SPEECHES EVER: HEAR FROM THE SOURCE. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS ~ 

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FAVORITE HASHTAG FOR THE MONTH of JUNE: #SoSueMe

^^^ Happening now! A great opportunity to get the President's Back and to saturate Social Media with POTUS Positive Information and Truth...

Gratitude to https://www.facebook.com/electdemocrats for POTUS meme "I'm not going to apologize..."

(I make every effort to credit original creators and/or posters of the work I share ~ if you notice an error or an omission I would appreciate hearing from you in the comment section. Thank you!)

Don't Let GOP-ERS Distract You From Getting Out the Vote Like I Did This Weekend & That Includes Poverty!

This is the confession of one who knows better and still allowed herself to get distracted for nearly two full days by a Republican; it is also a smidgen about Rep. Paul Ryan’s thinking about poverty and; it is a brief peek at what appears to be Ryan’s dip into foreign affairs which indicates to me his ego has already been unable to resist a call to run for POTUS in 2016 and everything but his effort to gain presidential candidacy street cred is a smoke screen ~

a reminder that EVERYTHING except gaining power and money for the GOP is a carefully constructed strategy to distract Democrats from investing all of their energy into getting out the vote in 2014 and 2016 ~ and that includes poverty (and Iraq, too, BTW)!

To begin at the beginning ~ I was curious to know what Ryan was saying about Poverty so I Googled: The War on Poverty 50 Years Later House Budget Committee Report – all 250 page of it and I got l-o-s-t in it! 

Now, I am not naïve to the Republican use of time, energy and resources of the U.S. government to campaign and/or to lay the groundwork for their own plans for the future but I gave in to my curiosity anyway … 

and that curiosity nearly killed this cat!

So, what did I learn about Ryan’s thinking about poverty in 250 pages? I learned that women should get married and then have children and then all will be well with the world.

SURPRISE !!!

But, I also learned that while MSM and stake holding parties have been talking about Ryan talking about poverty ~ sort of ~ for the past year Ryan has quietly been doing that foreign affairs thing POTUS wannabes tend to do:

Speaking to The Center for a New American Security (June 11, 2014) about how we have to stick like glue to Afghanistan.

Writing a CNN Opinion piece with some of his friends following a trip to Asia last month in which he pines for more U.S. military might. Leading Globally: Why America Cannot Keep The Peace Alone (May 7, 2014)

Writing an Op-Ed for Real Clear Defense about how POTUS doesn’t ask for enough money for defense but the GOP will. A Clear Choice For Defense (April 9, 2014)

Having an article in the Weekly Standard on Paul Ryan on a radio show on addressing Ukraine: ‘This Is What Happens When You Project Weakness Abroad’ ~ “In a radio interview Monday, House budget committee chairman Paul Ryan said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is another result of President Obama's weakness on defense and foreign policy. "I think it’s one more chapter in what happens when you project weakness abroad through your foreign policy, through your defense policy, and aggression fills that vacuum," Ryan told radio host Michael Medved.” (March 4, 2014)

This is just a good read from Foreign Policy re “2016 hopeful” ~ not to promote 2016 but to note that Ryan, like all GOP-ERS is about nullifying POTUS and winning in November and 2016 and that is all, everything else is a distraction.

this is just for fun ~ Ryan’s Foreign Affairs voting record . Here's a sample for you:

And this is the most important part of all ...

Millions of silent Democrats can make my head explode...

THIS:

MAKES MY HEAD EXPLODE:

Too many Democrats have difficulty understanding if President Obama has high approval ratings it will help Democrats win up and down the ticket in November.

Too many Democrats have difficulty understanding it is up to Democrats to speak loudly and clearly on all of the positive things President Obama has done without a Democratic Congress and on all of the positive things he will do with a Democratic Congress.

 Too many Democrats have difficulty understanding that if they go to the source they can find all of the information they need to support President Obama and the Democratic Party via informing the electorate, writing blogs, creating memes, etc.

(I prefer to believe it is the complexity of politics that gets in the way and not one-issue sour grapes and/or apathy so I can maintain my faith in humanity and so I can continue to believe we can overcome in November!)

***

I have a vision in my mind of Democrats winning the House, keeping the Senate and giving POTUS a Democratic Congress to work with in November.

I have always envisioned POTUS with a methodical check list of policies he’d like to implement on behalf of the American People, checking them off one by one as he finds ways to either manipulate Congress into agreement or to issue Executive Orders.

Lately, I have been thinking: I wonder what is still on that to-do list to be checked off if he actually gets a Democratic Congress in November.

Well, it’s a long list…

A sampling of that list follows, for your own information, to be used in your own work on his behalf via the medium of your choice ~ if you choose to do so. The message is simple: 

Dear U.S. Voters, this President is pro U.S. Government (us) and the GOP is anti-U.S. Government (us). Pick a side and get it done!

Aproposal to accelerate job growth and lay the foundation for robust economicgrowth (2009)

“Today, the President laid out some of the broad steps that he believes should be at the heart of our efforts to help put Americans back to work and get businesses hiring again. This announcement is part of the President’s ongoing effort to take every responsible step to accelerate the pace of job growth. The President views every bill through the prism of job growth and will continue to explore additional approaches as well. These measures are part of the overall policy designed to not just create jobs in the short run but also shift America away from consumption-driven growth to a focus on enhancing the competitiveness of America’s businesses, encouraging investment, and promoting exports.”

PresidentObama calls for new restriction on size and scope of financial institution torein in excesses and protect tax payers (2010)

"President Obama joined Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve; Bill Donaldson, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Congressman Barney Frank, House Financial Services Chairman; Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman of the Banking Committee and the President's economic team to call for new restrictions on the size and scope of banks and other financial institutions to rein in excessive risk taking and to protect taxpayers.

The President’s proposal would strengthen the comprehensive financial reform package that is already moving through Congress.

“While the financial system is far stronger today than it was a year one year ago, it is still operating under the exact same rules that led to its near collapse,” said President Barack Obama. “My resolve to reform the system is only strengthened when I see a return to old practices at some of the very firms fighting reform; and when I see record profits at some of the very firms claiming that they cannot lend more to small business, cannot keep credit card rates low, and cannot refund taxpayers for the bailout.  It is exactly this kind of irresponsibility that makes clear reform is necessary.””

 FACT SHEET: Cybersecurity Legislative Proposal (2011)

“We count on computer networks to deliver our oil and gas, our power and our water. We rely on them for public transportation and air traffic control… But just as we failed in the past to invest in our physical infrastructure – our roads, our bridges and rails – we've failed to invest in the security of our digital infrastructure… This status quo is no longer acceptable – not when there's so much at stake. We can and we must do better. – President Obama, May 29, 2009”

President Obama Sends The American Jobs Act to Congress (2011)

“Today, President Obama sent a message to Congress with the American Jobs Act of 2011 and a section-by-section analysis of the legislation. The American Jobs Act is composed of the kinds of proposals to put Americans back to work that both Democrats and Republicans have supported. That's why President Obama is urging Congress to pass the bill right away to get the economy moving. As the President stressed this morning, this is not a time to play politics:

 It’s not okay at a time of great urgency and need all across the country. These aren’t games we’re playing out here. Folks are out of work. Businesses are having trouble staying open. You’ve got a world economy that is full of uncertainty right now -- in Europe, in the Middle East. Some events may be beyond our control, but this is something we can control. Whether we not -- whether or not we pass this bill, whether or not we get this done, that’s something that we can control. That’s in our hands.

Read the letter to Congress, the full American Jobs Act, and the section-by-section analysis" in the link above.

 President Obama Calls on Congress to Partner on Government Reform2012

“This afternoon, the Obama Administration sent Congress the Consolidating and Reforming Government Act of 2012, which would reinstate the authority Presidents held for decades to reorganize and consolidate the Federal government.  To guarantee that government reorganization will always result in a more efficient government, the President’s proposal adds a new requirement that any reorganization plan must save money or reduce the size of government.  As President Obama first announced last month, the Administration’s proposal would allow the President to put forward, for expedited consideration by Congress, plans to consolidate and reform the Federal government for the 21st century, making it leaner, smarter and more consumer friendly.

President Obama said, “To support an economy that’s built to last, we need a government that’s built for the 21st Century. We cannot allow redundant bureaucracy and unnecessary red tape to stand in the way of creating good jobs here at home, providing critical services for America’s families, and exporting America’s goods and services around the world. That’s why today I am calling on Congress to join me in reforming our government by passing the Consolidating and Reforming Government Act.””

Win the Future With a 21st Century Infrastructure, 2012

 “Because the President recognizes the importance of a modern transportation infrastructure to the growth and competitiveness of the economy, the Budget proposes a historic six-year surface reauthorization package. Adjusted for inflation, this investment represents an increase of about $35 billion per year, or 60 percent on average, over the previous six-year authorization period. The proposal also seeks to reform how these Federal transportation dollars are spent so that they are directed to the most effective programs and projects. It will give States and localities added flexibility while holding them accountable for performance and make Federal funding decisions based on more sound and inclusive transportation plans.  The plan provides a $50 billion funding boost in the first year to spur job creation when we need it most, and to lay a foundation for future economic growth through greater and safer transportation choices for Americans and increased business development in communities. Finally, transportation programs are reformed to increase accountability and efficiency and deliver cost-effective infrastructure projects. Specifically, the plan will:” (see link above)

The President's Plan to Reduce Gun Violence (2013)

 This one ^^^ speaks for itself.

One final bit of information for you ~ if you really want to know what POTUS wants to do with a Democratic Congress in 2015 if he gets one in November, check out his 2015 budget proposal ... it is a statement of his principles and his values and it diagrams how he'd like to implement them on behalf of the U.S. Government (us)!

Are you?

#Rally4Equality2014

I never thought I'd be fighting for equality for women in 2014.

But I am. A lot of us are.

Many of us were reminded of that fight in 2010 when Supreme Court Justice Scalia declared women to be NOT protected under the United States Constitution of America:
"If the current society wants to outlaw discrimination by sex," he told an audience at the University of California's Hastings College of the Law, "you have legislatures."

^^^

 (Merely an excerpt of one Scalia comment out of many that can be found via a simple Google search!!!) 

Summer has arrived. Vacation plans are being made. And women and those who love women need to consider gathering at the Capitol Hill West Lawn in Washington, D.C. on September 13 to Rally For Equality if they possibly can.

( Meme: Courtesy of ERAAction. More information: here. )

An update:
ERA Ratification Bills in the 113th Congress (2013-2014)

Two different types of ERA legislation have been introduced in the 2013-2014 session of Congress:

• Traditional legislation to ratify the ERA by the Constitution's Article V ratification process, and
• "Three-state strategy" legislation to remove the time limit on the ERA's ratification process and declare it complete when three-fourths (38) of the states ratify, thereby retaining the existing 35 state ratifications as viable.

And there are states in play. You can check out a list of those who have signed on and those who need to sign on here.

Now that you are thinking about going to Washington, D.C. to support the ratification of the ERA, here's some background information for you:

A great video, for 5:28 minutes of your time you can get a bit of an historical review. 

* The Equal Rights Amendment: Unfinished Business for the Constitution

 A Spring 2014 hearing, approximately an hour and a half video , of relevant ERA advocates giving an update on the Hill. 

Speakers included Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD); Roberta W. Francis and Bettina Hager, Co-Chairs, ERA Task Force, National Council of Women’s Organizations; Dr. Elise Gould, Director of Health Policy Research, Economic Policy Institute; Andrea Miller, Interim Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America; Shireen Mitchell, Chair, National Council of Women’s Organizations; Chitra Panjabi, Vice President Membership, National Organization for Women; Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority.

* The ERA in the 21st Century: Where Have We Come From, and Where Will We Go?

A Fall 2013 keynote speech, approximately an hour and a half video , by "third-wave" feminists Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards address: 

Program highlights from this national conference included a keynote presentation by "third-wave" feminists Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, and a roundtable including Terry O'Neill, President, National Organization for Women, and Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority.

Also, some Frequently Asked Questions as provided by: The Equal Rights Amendment website page ~ 

a website that is a project of the Alice Paul Institute (API) in collaboration with the ERA Task Force of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO).  It is written (except where otherwise noted) and administered by Roberta W. Francis, NCWO ERA Task Force Co-Chair.)

I am pleased to Credit: the ERA Task Force, National Council of Women’s Organizations for a preponderance of material provided in this Blogspot!

Finally, a last but not least kind of thing, if you still need motivation to find a way to participate in the ratification of the ERA either in person or virtually, my personal favorite inspiration is:

Iron Jawed Angels which can be viewed on YouTube here !

Don’t want to live under Articles of Confederation?: VOTE!

Warning ~ I’m feeling very snarky  …

 

If you want to continue to live under the UNITED STATES Constitution of America and if don’t want to live under a GOP version of the Articles of Confederation  V-O-T-E and make sure a Republican is never, ever  elected to a position of power in this nation again…

 

I cannot say with certainty what a final version of the new GOP framework for this land will look like if they win the Senate in 2014 and the White House in 2016 but I can make an educated guess as their favorite parts of the Articles of Confederation are that the States are Sovereign, that The People are Armed and that the Federal Government is, basically, a Solver of Disputes Between Said States.

 

Picture it:

Let’s take the Keystone XL Pipeline as a simple example ~ Canada wants the pipeline to run through the United States. Texas wants it to run through the United States, too. The problem is environmentalists believe the pipeline is hazardous to the health of the entire planet and a whole lot of citizens in Nebraska believe their water source is directly threatened so they are all fighting the building of the pipeline together.

 

In a Brand New GOP world this issue would still tick off Texas, Montana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, of course, so they would likely form a pro-KXL Pipeline Alliance, they would likely tell the environmentalists and the citizens of Nebraska to STFU! and with great glee they would likely send their State Militias out to secure the building of the pipeline ~ perhaps even changing state boundaries to reach their objective... what's to stop them?

 

Then what ~ you are probably asking right about now? Well, war between some of our states, of course. It's a natural GOP progression. 

 

(That should give you a pretty clear image of how our Non-United States. Survival of the fittest, codified! Plug in your own example and see where it takes you via the new Government of your State, depending on what State you live in of course. Some states might keep the systems they have now or they might become Libertarian or Oligarchy or even Direct Democracy ~ who knows?)

Now. To be fair. The 1781 Articles of Confederation did give Congress the power to make treaties, maintain an army and coin money but I suspect those chores would all be gone  following a GOP Constitutional Convention immediately after the 2016 Election except for, maybe,  protection of borders and creation of worldwide empire, perhaps.

 

Here’s a look at the document the GOP reveres more than the U.S. Constitution. It has been edited by me to highlight the most ludicrous and chaotic and to strengthen my argument that Democrats must get out and vote and they must vote Democrat!:

Edited Version: The  ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

 

To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.

Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

One

The Stile of this Confederacy shall be

"The United States of America".

Two

Each state retains its sovereignty (And there it is. Right up front. End of story, really, but I’ll continue to play.), freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.

Three

The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other (friendship, that’ll work with a lying cheating GOP, right?), for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever. (It is interesting to note the general welfare is included here ~ that’ll change!)

Four

The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this Union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted (and we can, surely, expect that exception list to grow ~ it’s been a long time since that list was made…), shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; and the people of each State shall free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any State, to any other State, of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any State, on the property of the United States, or either of them.

If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.

Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.

Five

For the most convenient management of the general interests of the United States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislatures of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year. (I severely cut this one re more boring management stuff… see link above. Just note ~ power in the State, not The People.)

Six

(Also severely cut for purposes of relevancy to me…see link above.)

No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue. (Sorry, this is exactly the kind of stuff that totally defeats the purpose of the UNITED STATES and it is why I now call the GOP anti-U.S. Government because they are!)

No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the United States in Congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress, to the courts of France and Spain.

No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the United States in Congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgement of the United States in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of filed pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage. (And there it is, guns for all, although interestingly enough it does still say REGULATED.)

No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, UNLESS such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the United States in Congress assembled can be consulted (Awesome. There are some times States can declare war!); nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States in Congress assembled, and then only against the Kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the United States in Congress assembled, UNLESS such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the United States in Congress assembled shall determine otherwise. (Oh good, more war stuff the States can do!)

Seven

When land forces are raised by any State for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each State respectively, by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the State which first made the appointment. (Ugh.)

 

Eight

All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the United States in Congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several States in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the United States in Congress assembled, shall from time to time direct and appoint. (I can see a war breaking out between some States over this…)

The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States within the time agreed upon by the United States in Congress assembled.

Nine

(Also severely cut for purposes of relevancy to me… see link above.)

The United States in Congress assembled shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting or that hereafter may arise between two or more States concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other causes whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following. (Good Grief! I don’t think a real justice system has been mentioned yet!) >>> It’s a slog but we need to grasp the chaos that ensued and we need to imagine how much worse it can get… Whenever the legislative or executive authority or lawful agent of any State in controversy with another shall present a petition to Congress stating the matter in question and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given by order of Congress to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question: but if they cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names as Congress shall direct, shall in the presence of Congress be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing reasons, which Congress shall judge sufficient, or being present shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of Congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgement and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence, or judgement, which shall in like manner be final and decisive, the judgement or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to Congress, and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of the parties concerned: provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgement, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State, where the cause shall be tried, 'well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgement, without favor, affection or hope of reward': provided also, that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.

All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more States, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the States which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or either of them being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall on the petition of either party to the Congress of the United States, be finally determined as near as may be in the same manner as is before presecribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different States.

The United States in Congress assembled shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective States -- fixing the standards of weights and measures throughout the United States -- regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the States, provided that the legislative right of any State within its own limits be not infringed or violated -- establishing or regulating post offices from one State to another, throughout all the United States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office -- appointing all officers of the land forces, in the service of the United States, excepting regimental officers -- appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United States -- making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.

The United States in Congress assembled shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of Congress, to be denominated 'A Committee of the States', and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under their direction -- to appoint one of their members to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses -- to borrow money, or emit bills on the credit of the United States, transmitting every half-year to the respective States an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted -- to build and equip a navy -- to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State; which requisition shall be binding, and thereupon the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men and cloath, arm and equip them in a solid-like manner, at the expense of the United States; and the officers and men so cloathed, armed and equipped shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States in Congress assembled. But if the United States in Congress assembled shall, on consideration of circumstances judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, cloathed, armed and equipped in the same manner as the quota of each State, unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spread out in the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, cloath, arm and equip as many of such extra number as they judeg can be safely spared. And the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States in Congress assembled.

Ten

The Committee of the States, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of Congress, such of the powers of Congress as the United States in Congress assembled, by the consent of the nine States, shall from time to time think expedient to vest them with; provided that no power be delegated to the said Committee, for the exercise of which, by the Articles of Confederation, the voice of nine States in the Congress of the United States assembled be requisite. (Good Grief!)

Eleven

(How very, very interesting.) Canada acceding to this confederation, and adjoining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this Union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.

Twelve

All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed, and debts contracted by, or under the authority of Congress, before the assembling of the United States, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the United States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States, and the public faith are hereby solemnly pleged.

Thirteen

Every State shall abide by the determination of the United States in Congress assembled, on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them. And the Articles of this Confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State, and the Union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State.

And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union.  (Whaaat???) Know Ye that we the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained: And we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations of the United States in Congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said Confederation are submitted to them. And that the Articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we respectively represent, and that the Union shall be perpetual.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania the ninth day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight, and in the Third Year of the independence of America.

Agreed to by Congress 15 November 1777 In force after ratification by Maryland, 1 March 1781

As weaknesses showed themselves, our Founding Fathers decided on a re-do.

Some of ~

 

And the GOP has been fighting to undo it ever since...

V-O-T-E or F-O-R-E-V-E-R hold your P-E-A-C-E !!!